Previously, working remotely was
associated with outsourcing lower value tasks. However, the massive shift
brought about by technology over the last decade now drives the popularity of
“remote work.” In the past, remote employees tended to be low-level data-entry
positions or developers. Now more advanced positions, including high-level
executives, are taking advantage of working remotely. Now, CEOs can go
remote. These executives like the logistical benefits, increased productivity,
and higher quality of life.
Go
Remote is the New Work Model
It’s
a trend that is increasingly popular with managers and employees alike. And,
productivity isn’t being impacted negatively. Recently, 83% of employees feel
that they do not need an office to be productive. Also, 99% of employees
surveyed in the 2019 Buffer
State of Remote Work reported they would like to work
remotely.
The
number of CEOs who are “going remote” is the most notable trend. Technology
now allows executives to lead and scale organizations ranging from a handful of
employees to hundreds and even thousands of employees. They can use an arsenal
of digital tools and
well-thought-out processes.
Ethan
Bull, co-founder of ProAssisting,
knows what it takes for the CEOs of even the largest companies to remain
effective while working remote. As the former executive assistant to a
multi-billion dollar enterprise executive, his firm provides remote, high-level
executive assistance services to high-powered executives, many of whom work
virtually themselves. He’s offered a few insights on how CEOs can make the
transition and go remote.
The
Importance of Policies and Procedures
Remote
or not, as a CEO you need to guide yourself and your entire organization your
end goals and objectives. When you are operating remotely, you are not directly
in front of your team. Detailed policies and procedures ensure everyone remains
on the same page.
Doing
this holds everyone accountable and eliminates gray areas. When everything is
clearly written and shared via Dropbox or Slack, hiccups don’t derail your
company’s progress.
Communicating
Expectations
Working
remotely is highly coveted these days. Therefore, it’s essential that you
prepare for the influx of questions and requests. If you let one employee work
remote (or yourself), it’s almost certain more will want to follow.
If
you have two executive assistants and one is allowed to work remotely, there
will be conflict between those assistants. There will also be issues between
the assistant who works in the office and their direct reports.
You
can’t immediately move everyone into a remote role. It needs to be a smooth
transition that doesn’t interrupt your productivity or company culture. A
well-thought-out plan must be implemented to ensure the shift is smooth.
Implementing
a Go Remote Policy
Not
all positions are suitable for remote work. In this case, consider implementing
a work-from-home policy for your in-house team members. This can be done in a
way that satisfies two needs and wants. This is the need to have the job done
on-site and the team member desire for the remote experience.
Think
of a way that you can allow team members to work at home, whether one day a
week or one day a month, which aligns with your objectives. This will go a long
way to support your company culture and contribute significantly to employee
satisfaction.
Growing
a Remote Team
One
of the most significant changes, especially when it comes to executives that
come from a traditional corporate environment, is they are not going to see or
communicate with their teams face-to-face in an office setting.
“A
lot of seasoned executives and leaders need to see people in their seats to
feel like they are getting their ‘money’s worth’ out of their employees,”
explains Bull. That mentality has to change for a company to thrive remotely.
Embracing
technology can help make a remote team feel “closer.” While team management
tools like Slack or Asana are great for chatting and keeping organized, phone
and video conference calls cannot be replaced. The tone of a voice reveals a
lot. Therefore, don’t eliminate the communication channels that help maintain a
healthy relationship among the company.
Utilizing
a Remote Executive Assistant
As
a CEO, you want to maximize every dollar the company spends. Utilizing remote
executive assistants allow you to on-board talent at a drastically reduced
price compared to the cost of hiring an in-house full-time employee.
A
virtual assistant only bills for hours worked. That way, you don’t waste money
on downtime. Essentially, you no longer have to pay employees to surf the
Internet or play on their phones in-between tasks.
Your
assistant, even if remote, will appear to be working for you next to your side.
Location isn’t a factor when it comes to having access to your calendar, email,
and contacts. You have full control to delegate tasks. Plus, the executive
assistant can carry those responsibilities out from any location.
Remote
work is the future. In fact, it’s already here. With the right procedures,
policies, and mindset, any organization can excel as a fully remote
company. And, that includes having the CEO who can also choose to go
remote.
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